Tooth

In early 1993, after the split of indie funk metal stalwarts Psyclone Smyle, guitarist Ben Nightingale and bassist Chris Newton were looking to start a new project with a decidedly heavier edge. Several song writing sessions gleaned a stoner-metal template that would ultimately become the new band’s signature sound.

Requiring a new singer and drummer they contacted Scott James Smith, vocalist for southern Sydney hard rock band Savage Heart after remembering his performance at a show they had once played on the same bill. Scott was enthusiastic and recruited soon after. A drummer was sourced in Gene Gill, who was playing with Black Parade and Psycho Zydeco at the time, and after much deliberation they settled on the moniker of “Tooth” for the band.

Stoner metal, with a space rock edge, Tooth burned brightly for about a year, playing a few dozen shows in that time around Sydney’s inner city and greater west.

In late 1993 they recorded one track for the Zen Studios compilation CD “A Fistful of Zen Koans”, and then later recorded and released a four song self-titled cassette EP, mainly for promotional purposes.

By early 1994, even though they had taken out second place in the NSW TAFE Band competition and showed great promise for a successful future, the momentum seemed to halt with Ben announcing his departure shortly afterwards.

The four members then went separate ways – Scott formed Christ Art Museum, and then Bob Sledge and Guilding The Lily; Gene continued with Psycho Zydeco; Ben went on to play session guitar for many bands including Icehouse, The Clouds and The Sleepy Jackson before forming The Ride Ons; Chris went on to play in Once Upon A Time, Stoneyard, User and solo as The Lost Husky (amongst many others).

Thanks Greg – plenty more to come in 2013. I’ve played in a lot of bands over the years, but am concentrating on documenting the ones that I was a major player in, as opposed to guest-bit-parts, which have been many! 🙂